ENG-2000 — Page 189

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

sales. Surplus earnings are channelled back into the industry through the provision of low-interest loans to fishermen, improved services and facilities in the markets and scholarships for fishermen's children. During the year, 54 420 tonnes of marine fish valued at $898 million were sold through the organisation.

Mining and Quarrying

The Mines and Quarries Division of the Civil Engineering Department enforces legislation relating to mining, quarrying and explosives, and administers quarrying contracts. It processes mining and prospecting applications and inspects mining and prospecting areas, stone quarries, blasting sites, explosives stores, and theatrical performances and film productions using pyrotechnics.

Hong Kong consumed 13 million tonnes of aggregates and other rock products in 2000. About 62 per cent of Hong Kong's demand for aggregates and rock products was met locally, with the balance imported from the Mainland.

In 2000, one quarrying contract and three quarry rehabilitation contracts were in force. The rehabilitation contracts require the operators to rehabilitate the quarries within a specified period, in return for the granting of rights to process and sell surplus rock excavated during the course of the works. The rehabilitation works involve recontouring and extensive planting to blend with the surrounding hillsides. The division manages two government explosives depots: one on Lantau Island and the other at Piper's Hill, Sha Tin. These depots provide bulk storage facilities for imported explosives. It also undertakes the delivery of explosives from the depots to blasting sites and issues shotfirer certificates.

The largest use of explosives during the year was for site formation and quarrying works. The overall consumption of explosives was 3 200 tonnes.

The division is also responsible for issuing storage licences and removal permits for explosives, and provides technical support to the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority and the Home Affairs Bureau in assessing applications for the use of pyrotechnics and fireworks respectively. In 2000, there were 75 applications for the use of pyrotechnics in the production of television programmes and theatrical performances, and one application for the use of devices containing explosives in film production.

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